How Low Do You Go? Guitar Hang to your knees?

rickster · Post by **rickster** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:15 pm

Everyone keeps telling me I play like a country player because i play with the guitar up high.I have tried to lay it lower.,....it just isnt comfortable to me, its hard for me to be acurate>Maybe im just not skilled enough yet?I got to jam with the guitarist from spirit lost today and he plays it REally Low!

slackin@dabass · Post by **slackin@dabass** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:52 pm

i tried it for awhile, slung low, like top of my belt buckle was even with the top of my bass, but i prefer to play flat hand (you know, proper) and when i play with it that low i have to wrap my thumb over the top of the neck. not very comfortable, and it seems to limit the distance i can stretch my pinkie to hit whatever notes are far away. now, again, i have it up higher so i can plant my thumb on the back of the neck and it's just much more comfortable. it's all a comfort factor. billy sheehan wears his bass in his armpit, but the fucker can play, so what's the problem?

f.sciarrillo · Post by **f.sciarrillo** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:40 pm

yep, a lot of it has to do with comfort ability. Petrucci and eddie van halen both play with the guitar up high ...

EyesOfAnguishbassist · Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:59 am

I like mine low but we don't play real technical stuff. If we were more technical though I would def have to play higher haha

rickster · Post by **rickster** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:42 am

LOL! I think you were into it man.. and that is Lowww.

JackANSI · Post by **JackANSI** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:59 am

comfort first... unless image trumps that.

most of the bassists I look up to wear it high.

Unholy · Post by **Unholy** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:35 pm

Yeah, I think some musicians out there have a set way of thinking that if they can play a certain way then anyone else can. It's not completely wrong, but what works for someone else may not work for you.

As everyone said, play where it's most comfortable for you. I've tried to play low and found that when I'm striking chords i muffle notes that shouldn't be muffeled. recently I adjusted the height and now it's about waist-high. I feel much more comfortable and relaxed with it than I was with it down by my knees.

Keep experimenting and see what works best for you.

RFBuck · Post by **RFBuck** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:14 pm

for a guy that's only 5'4"...I can tell ya low is NOT good. My arms are just too short for it. I go for comfort and maximizing my ability.